In the wake of his recent arrest on charges of attempting to extort Nike, high-profile attorney Michael Avenatti reignited controversy by making explosive allegations about the sportswear giant’s involvement in paying college basketball recruits to wear its gear. His claims, while dramatic, may not be as groundbreaking as he hopes.
Avenatti’s Allegations Against Nike
Fresh out of custody, Avenatti took to Twitter to accuse Nike of being involved in a widespread scheme involving illegal payments to top college athletes. He named former Nike and Adidas executive Merl Code and current Nike executive Carlton DeBose, along with two players allegedly connected to the scandal: DeAndre Ayton and Bol Bol.
- DeAndre Ayton: Former University of Arizona athlete now with the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
- Bol Bol: Played for the University of Oregon and is associated with Nike-sponsored programs.
Previous Investigations into College Basketball Corruption
Avenatti’s claims may sound shocking, but they are largely reiterations of what has already surfaced in federal investigations. The Department of Justice’s corruption probe into college basketball, which began in 2017, exposed under-the-table payments facilitated by Adidas executives and agents to steer recruits to Adidas-sponsored schools.
- In February 2018, ESPN reported intercepted phone calls between Arizona men’s basketball coach Sean Miller and sports agent Christian Dawkins, allegedly discussing a $100,000 payment for Ayton.
- Multiple Adidas executives, including Merl Code, were convicted on fraud charges for their involvement in similar schemes.
Nike’s Response and Cooperation with Authorities
Nike, in a statement issued after Avenatti’s arrest, made it clear that it would not be extorted and emphasized its cooperation with the government investigation. The company stated that it had been working with federal prosecutors for over a year.
Avenatti countered this, accusing Nike of lying to authorities and engaging in a cover-up. Despite his bold statements, his allegations against DeBose and Bol Bol have not provided any groundbreaking revelations.
The NCAA’s Role in the Black Market for Athletes
The real issue at the heart of these allegations is the NCAA’s amateurism rules. These restrictions create a black market where shoe companies, agents, and coaches find ways to compensate athletes outside of official channels.
- Federal prosecutors exposed what many in the sports community already knew: the NCAA’s regulations foster corruption and backroom deals.
- Despite the revelations, college basketball and its affiliated brands, including Nike and Adidas, have continued to thrive.
Conclusion:
Michael Avenatti’s fiery accusations may capture headlines, but they don’t reveal much that hasn’t already been discussed in the ongoing investigations into college basketball corruption. Whether Avenatti can substantiate his claims or whether they are simply a bid for relevance remains to be seen.